BYLAWS OF
THE SIGMA PI FRATERNITY, INTERNATIONAL
Table of Contents
BYLAW 1
BYLAW 2
BYLAW 3
BYLAW 4
BYLAW 5
BYLAW 6
BYLAW 7
BYLAW 8
BYLAW 9
BYLAW 10
BYLAW 11
BYLAW 12
BYLAW 13
BYLAW 14
BYLAW 15
BYLAW 16
BYLAW 17
BYLAW 18
BYLAW 19
BYLAW 20
- Pledges ................................................................................................................................................... 1
- Brothers.................................................................................................................................................. 2
- Alumni ................................................................................................................................................... 2
- Discipline of Brothers ............................................................................................................................ 3
- Obligations of Chapters ......................................................................................................................... 6
- Elections ................................................................................................................................................ 7
- Duties of Grand Chapter Officers .......................................................................................................... 9
- Duties of Chapter and Alumni Club Officers ........................................................................................ 9
- Expansion ............................................................................................................................................ 11
- Provinces.............................................................................................................................................. 11
- Convocations of the Grand Chapter ..................................................................................................... 12
- North-American Interfraternity Conference ....................................................................................... 13
- Publications.......................................................................................................................................... 14
- Insignia and Observances ................................................................................................................... 14
- Executive Office and Chief Executive Officer .................................................................................... 14
- Grand Chapter Budget ......................................................................................................................... 15
- Committees of the Grand Chapter ...................................................................................................... 15
- Scholarship and Standards .................................................................................................................. 15
- Chapter Finance .................................................................................................................................. 16
- Sigma Pi Historical Society ................................................................................................................. 17
BYLAW 1 - Pledges
Section 1. Every man invited to join this Fraternity shall be
explicitly informed in writing as to the probable amount of
money he will be expected to pay the Fraternity during a stated
period for room rent, table, board, dues, fees, assessments, and
any other expenses. He shall also be informed as to what the
Fraternity stands for morally, mentally, and physically, as well
as what the Fraternity and Chapter, Colony or Alumni Club
insists upon from its brothers.
Section 2. Every man accepting an invitation to become a
brother of the Fraternity must be duly pledged by the Chapter
or Colony in a formal Pledging Ceremony.
No man may be issued an invitation to become a Pledge of the
Fraternity unless that man meets the academic requirements for
Pledging a Fraternity that may have been established by the
Chapter, Colony, the Interfraternity Council, the host
institution, or the North- American Interfraternity Conference.
All Pledges of the Fraternity are subject to the provisions of
academic excellence as described in Bylaw 19.
Every candidate for pledging shall complete membership
records as required by the Executive Office. Each Pledge is
also required to submit a Pledge Fee as specified by Bylaw 5.
No man shall be recognized as a Pledge of the Fraternity until
all the provisions of this Bylaw are fully satisfied.
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Section 3. Pledges shall not be permitted to attend any
ritualistic part of any Chapter meeting, nor shall they wear the
badge of the Fraternity. They shall conform to such rules and
regulations that may be enforced for their guidance in the
Chapter to which they are pledged, or in the Grand Chapter.
Individual Chapters may determine whether their Pledges may
attend any other parts of their Chapter meeting.
Section 4. Any Pledge who fails to meet the requirements for
initiation by the end of the second academic term after he is
pledged, shall be automatically de-pledged, without notice;
provided, however, that no institution or interfraternity council
ruling requires a longer period of time in which to qualify at
least once for initiation. A Pledge who is de-pledged under the
provisions herein, may be re-pledged upon vote of a Chapter
for not more than one additional academic term within which to
qualify for initiation.
Section 5. Each Chapter shall conduct a program of
constructive pledge education and instruction for all Pledges or
candidates for initiation. This education and instruction shall
not interfere with or constrain the academic development of any
pledge. Such a program shall be not less than three (3), nor
more than eight (8) weeks in duration. In addition, the chapter
membership education program must, in the first two (2)
weeks, include instruction from the nationally approved Study
Guide for Academic Success.
The possession, use or
consumption of alcohol by any pledge or active brother at any
meeting or event held in connection with a pledge education
program is strictly prohibited. In addition, each Chapter shall
Amended by Convocation, August, 2010
Bylaws of the Sigma Pi Fraternity, International
provide post initiation classes to explain the Ritual and to
further inform newly initiated brothers about the Fraternity no
later than thirty days after initiation.
Section 6. Each Pledge who is a candidate for initiation and
membership in the Fraternity shall be voted upon by secret
ballot at a regular or special meeting of the Chapter to be held
at least one week prior to initiation. Sufficient advance notice
of such meetings and balloting shall be given all Active
brothers and the Chapter Director. Three-fourths (3/4) of the
Active brothers of the Chapter shall constitute a quorum for the
purpose of this section. The candidate will be approved for
initiation and membership by an affirmative vote of two-thirds
(2/3) of the quorum present.
BYLAW 2 - Brothers
Section 1. Every brother of this Fraternity shall be amenable
to the authority vested in the duly elected or appointed officers
thereof.
Section 2. No man, after becoming a brother of this
Fraternity, shall become a member of any other national or
international Greek-letter college fraternity, excepting only
those of a strictly professional or honorary character.
Section 3. A Fraternity brother cannot be a registered brother
of more than one Chapter at the same time, and membership in
the Fraternity does not include the right of automatic transfer
to, or registration and privileges at, another Chapter. However,
any brother in good standing with one Chapter of the Fraternity
may either affiliate temporarily with, or transfer permanently
to, another Chapter, provided that he meets the academic
criteria of his new institution and that he receives consent from
his prospective chapter.
(a) Affiliation:
A Chapter accepting a brother for
temporary affiliation, shall do so and extend full Chapter
privileges, only after the brother has obtained from his
original Chapter a letter certifying that he is in good
standing.
(b) Transfer: Permanent transfer of a brother from one
chapter to another, shall be upon written request of the
brother on forms furnished by the Executive Office and
shall be official and registered only after approval and due
election to membership in the Chapter to which transfer is
to be made. The Executive Office shall deny such requests
if the brother in question is under suspension from his
previous chapter pursuant to Bylaw 4.
Section 4. Every brother of the Fraternity, so long as he is an
undergraduate, shall be classed as an Active. All Active
brothers, including graduate students granted Active status,
shall assume and be responsible for the financial and other
obligations required of Actives by the Chapter and the Grand
Chapter; and failure to do so shall make a brother liable for
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suspension or expulsion in accordance with the provisions of
Bylaw 4.
Section 5. In the event an Active cannot for valid reason
discharge or meet his financial obligations as an Active, he may
be relieved or excused for a limited period of time, but only
upon written application according to such procedure and terms
as each Chapter shall provide for in its bylaws. A copy of such
application shall be sent by the individual to the Executive
Office and also to the Chapter Director. An Active who
withdraws from his Chapter without proper authorization shall
become liable for suspension or expulsion.
Section 6. Upon written application and request to the Grand
Sage, the status of a brother may be determined by the Grand
Sage, the Grand Fourth Counselor, and the Chief Executive
Officer by unanimous agreement.
Section 7. Each Chapter may, upon prior approval of the
Grand Sage or the Chief Executive Officer, initiate a faculty
member or other qualified person without the customary period
of Pledge probation.
BYLAW 3 - Alumni
Section 1. Every alumnus brother shall be entitled to attend
Chapter meetings in the Chapter wherein he was initiated into
the Fraternity, or the Chapter to which he was officially
transferred, but he shall be entitled to vote only on matters
pertaining to the relationship between the individual Chapter
and the Grand Chapter.
Section 2.
Each Alumni Club of the Fraternity shall be
entitled to representation at Convocations of the Grand Chapter
as provided in Bylaw 12.
Section 3. All persons applying for membership in Alumni
Clubs may be required to present credentials of good standing
with their collegiate Chapters and the Fraternity as a condition
of membership in said Alumni Club.
Section 4. The charter fee for an Alumni Club shall be equal
to the actual cost of the charter. Alumni Clubs shall pay to the
Grand Chapter annual dues of three hundred dollars ($300.00.)
Section 5. Alumni who make an outstanding contribution or
who render exceptional services in business, a profession, or
education, including services to the Fraternity or the Fraternity
system, may be recognized by the presentation of Founders'
Awards at each Convocation of the Grand Chapter. The Grand
Council shall select and determine recipients and shall provide
for the manner in which nominations shall be made and the
biographical information that shall accompany each nominee's
name.
Amended by Convocation, August, 2010
Bylaws of the Sigma Pi Fraternity, International
BYLAW 4 - Discipline of Brothers
Any Chapter, Active brother, Colony, or Colony member of the
Fraternity may be disciplined as provided in this Bylaw.
Section 1.
Financial Suspension.
In the event that a brother is indebted to his chapter in any
amount, said brother is subject to discipline for such
indebtedness as follows:
(a) Optional Suspension. In the event that an Active
brother‟s debt becomes thirty (30) days past due, his
Chapter may choose to suspend him upon a majority vote
of the chapter, or he may be suspended by the Chapter
Director upon his own motion and without vote of the
Chapter. Said suspension becomes effective upon five (5)
days written notice to the indebted brother by the Sage,
Third Counselor or Chapter Director.
(b) Automatic Suspension. In the event that an Active
brother‟s debt becomes sixty (60) days past due, he shall
be automatically suspended, without a Chapter vote, if he
was not previously suspended pursuant to the preceding
section. Said suspension becomes effective upon five (5)
days written notice to the indebted brother by the Sage,
Third Counselor or Chapter Director.
(c) Notice of Suspension. In the case of financial
suspension pursuant to sub-section (a) or (b) above, the
written notice to the indebted brother shall reasonably
inform him that suspension has occurred or will
automatically occur and that such brother will therefore
lose his good standing in the Fraternity, will not be
permitted to wear his badge, or join as a brother in any
function, procession or display, public or private, of the
Fraternity. Unless prohibited by valid contract, such shall
no longer be permitted to live in the Chapter House. A
copy of this Notice shall be immediately sent to the
Executive Office.
(d) Payment and Reinstatement. Upon payment in full of
all indebtedness owed to his chapter, the suspended brother
shall be, without a vote of his Chapter, automatically
reinstated and notice of such reinstatement shall be
immediately sent to the Executive Office.
Section 2.
Financial Expulsion.
In the event that an Active brother has been previously
suspended for a period of at least ninety (90) days, and at the
end of that time he has not paid his indebtedness in full to his
Chapter, he may be expelled from the Fraternity consistent with
the terms of this Section.
(a) An Active brother is subject to expulsion upon a
majority vote of any quorum of the Active brothers
present, by the Chapter Director by his own motion, or by
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the Executive Director or his designee by his own motion.
If a Chapter intends to expel a brother for financial
indebtedness, the Chapter must provide the brother with at
least seven (7) days written notice of the chapter‟s intent to
vote on the expulsion and provide the brother with the date
and time of said vote. During the time between notice
given and the chapter vote, the indebted brother may
present to the Chapter Executive Council all documents
which tend to refute the amount of alleged indebtedness, if
any.
(b) Provided proper notice has been given, expulsion of
the Active brother may be recommended by his Chapter
upon a two-thirds (2/3) vote of any quorum of the Active
brothers present without the formality of a trial by anybody
in the Fraternity. Upon a vote to expel an Active brother
under this Section, the Chapter shall provide notice of the
financial expulsion to the Grand Council by way of the
Executive Office.
(c) The Executive Office shall provide the Grand Council
with all information necessary to render its findings. The
findings of the Grand Council shall be embodied in an
appropriate Grand Council Order, a copy of which shall be
furnished to the expelled brother, the appropriate Chapter,
and to the appropriate Chapter Director.
Financial
Expulsion pursuant to this Section is final and not subject
to Review by the Judicial Review Committee.
(d) Expulsion under this section shall terminate all rights
and privileges of a person in the Fraternity. Any brother
who has been expelled from the Fraternity for financial
indebtedness shall be deemed to be unaffiliated with the
Fraternity and will not be permitted to wear his badge, or
join as a brother in any function, procession or display,
public or private, of the Fraternity. Unless prohibited by
valid contract, such shall no longer be permitted to live in
the Chapter House.
Section 3.
Reinstatement from Financial Expulsion.
In the event that an Active brother has been expelled from the
Fraternity for Financial indebtedness, he may petition his
Chapter in writing for reinstatement as provided herein:
(a) If said petition is received by the Chapter within one
(1) year from the date the vote to expel him was taken by
his Chapter or Chapter Director‟s own motion or by the
Executive Director, the unaffiliate may be reinstated by his
chapter upon a majority vote of all Active brothers of the
Chapter.
(b) If said petition is received by the Chapter within two
(2) years from the date the vote to expel him was taken by
his Chapter or Chapter Director or by the Executive
Director, the unaffiliate may be reinstated by his chapter
upon a three-fourths (3/4) vote of all Active brothers of the
Chapter.
Amended by Convocation, August, 2010
Bylaws of the Sigma Pi Fraternity, International
(c) In either case, any indebtedness of the unaffiliate must
be paid in full before the application is voted upon, and
may be retained by the Chapter whether or not the
unaffiliate is reinstated.
(d) Upon reinstatement, Notice of such reinstatement must
be immediately sent to the Executive Office.
Section 4.
Conduct Suspension.
Any brother of the Fraternity may be suspended, by way of a
majority vote of any quorum of his Chapter, or by a Chapter
Director upon his own motion, or by the Executive Director or
his designee by his own motion, from the privilege of
membership for no more than six (6) months for:
(a) Violation of the laws of any nation or subordinate
governing bodies where the Chapter or Colony is located;
(b) Violations of any of the provisions of the Constitution,
Bylaws, Grand Council Orders, rules or regulations of the
Grand Chapter, or of the local chapter, or violation of any
applicable rule of the host institution; or,
(c) Conduct that causes significant risk to Sigma Pi
Fraternity, any of its Chapters or other subordinate bodies.
Section 5.
Conduct Expulsion.
Notwithstanding whether an Active brother of the Fraternity
has been previously suspended pursuant to this Bylaw, any
Active brother of the Fraternity may be expelled by the Grand
Council for:
(a) Violation of the laws of any nation or subordinate
governing bodies;
(b) Violations of any of the provisions of the Constitution,
Bylaws, Grand Council Orders, rules or regulations of the
Grand Chapter, or of the local chapter;
(c) Conduct that causes significant risk to Sigma Pi
Fraternity, any of its Chapters or other subordinate
bodies;
(d) Revealing the secrets of the Fraternity‟s Ritual to any
person not entitled to receive them; or,
(e) Filing, or causing to be filed, a civil lawsuit naming
the Fraternity or any of its subordinate bodies as a
defendant, in the event that such lawsuit is subsequently
ruled frivolous by a court of competent jurisdiction.
Charges for the expulsion of a brother may be proffered against
him by his Chapter, Chapter Director, Province Archon, or the
Executive Director or his designee; however, the Grand
Council is the only body which may officially expel any
brother as provided in this Section.
(a) A Chapter may recommend to the Grand Council the
expulsion of a brother upon a two-thirds (2/3) vote of any
quorum of the Active brothers present. Notice of the
chapter‟s intent to vote must be provided to the accused
brother no less than seven (7) days prior to the vote being
taken. This Notice shall advise the accused of the date,
time and place of the meeting where the vote will be held.
If the Chapter votes to expel a brother, the chapter Sage
shall immediately present a written “Charge of Expulsion”
to the Grand Council by way of the Executive Office. The
Charge of Expulsion shall: (i) state the specific grounds for
expulsion; (ii) include a plain statement of the facts
surrounding the recommended expulsion; (iii) state the
results of the chapter vote; (iv) include a copy of the
aforementioned Notice provided to the accused of the
chapter‟s intent to vote; and (v) be signed by the Chapter
Director, Province Archon, or Educational Leadership
Consultant, or by such other Executive Office employee as
may be designated by the Executive Director. A copy of
the Charge of Expulsion shall be immediately provided to
the accused.
(b) A Chapter Director, Province Archon, or the
Executive Director or his Designee, upon his own motion,
may recommend to the Grand Council the expulsion of a
brother by providing the Grand Council, by way of the
Executive Office, with a Charge of Expulsion. Such
Charge of Expulsion shall: (i) state the specific grounds
upon which expulsion is sought, and (ii) consist of a plain
statement of facts upon which expulsion is sought. A copy
of the Charge of Expulsion shall be immediately provided
to the accused and the chapter Sage.
(c) Upon receipt of the Charge of Expulsion, the Grand
Sage shall fix a date no more than thirty (30) days hence by
which additional evidence may be provided. Upon good
cause shown in writing, the Grand Sage may extend the
time which such evidence may be submitted to him.
(d) All evidence submitted to the Grand Sage shall be
submitted by him to the Grand Council. The findings of
the Grand Council shall be embodied in an appropriate
Grand Council Order, a copy of which shall be furnished to
the accused, the appropriate Chapter, and to the appropriate
Chapter Director, and Province Archon.
(e) Expulsion shall terminate all rights and privileges of a
person in the Fraternity.
Section 7.
Judicial Review of Expulsion.
Section 6. Conduct Expulsion Charges.
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Amended by Convocation, August, 2010
Bylaws of the Sigma Pi Fraternity, International
Any person expelled for conduct reasons may seek review of the
Grand Council Order by the Judicial Review Committee as
provided below:
(a) Within thirty (30) days of the date of the relevant
Grand Council Order, the expelled brother shall provide the
Grand Sage, by way of the Executive Office, with a written
Request for Review.
(b) Within thirty (30) days of the receipt of the Request
for Review, the Grand Sage shall acknowledge receipt of
the same and provide the expelled brother with a time and
date certain for a hearing on the Request for Review. If he
so desires, the expelled brother may attend the hearing in
person.
(c) At the hearing on the Request for Review, the Judicial
Review Committee is charged with ensuring substantial
compliance will all procedures described in Bylaw 4,
Section 6 herein. The Judicial Review Committee shall not
accept any additional evidence not previously provided to
the Grand Council, except in cases involving criminal
investigations which the Judicial Review Committee may
consider at its discretion.
(d) At the conclusion of the hearing on the Request for
Review, the Judicial Review Committee shall make a nonbinding recommendation to the Grand Council as to
whether there was substantial compliance with the relevant
procedures and whether the membership of the expelled
brother should be reinstated.
(e) In the event that a brother has been expelled due to
circumstances surrounding pending criminal charges, but
for which there has been no conviction, acquittal or plea
agreement as of the time of the hearing on the Request for
Review, the Judicial Review Committee, in its discretion,
may recommend that the hearing be reconvened after legal
proceedings are concluded and that the effect of the
relevant Grand Council Order be stayed.
(f) Upon receipt of the recommendation of the Judicial
Review Committee, the Grand Council decision shall be
final and not subject to further review.
Section 8.
Membership Review.
The Executive Director, or his designee, may, from time to
time, perform a Membership Review of individual Brothers or
a Chapter pursuant to procedures determined by the Executive
Director. The purpose of such membership review shall be to
determine, without limitation, compliance with the Fraternity‟s
Constitution and Bylaws as well as the regulations of the host
institution, and the Brother‟s overall contribution to his
Chapter. Upon the recommendation of the Executive Director,
or his designee, a Brother may immediately be suspended or
reclassified as an „Alumnus‟ by the Grand Council and all
rights and privileges of an „Active‟ shall immediately cease.
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Actions taken pursuant to foregoing provisions of this section
shall be final and not subject to review by the Judicial Review
Committee. In extreme cases, the Executive Director or his
designee may alternatively recommend the expulsion of a
Brother pursuant to the procedures set forth in this Bylaw. Any
Brother expelled from the Fraternity as a result of a
Membership Review may seek a review by the Judicial Review
Committee.
Section 9.
Prohibited Conduct.
The following conduct is contrary to the Creed, standards,
ideals and goals of the Fraternity, and such activity by its
brothers and Pledges is hereby strictly prohibited.
(a) Hazing. For the purposes of this section, hazing is
defined to include, without limitation, any act or activity,
whether physical, emotional or social, committed by any
brother or Pledge of the Fraternity that subjects or is
intended to subject any other brother or Pledge of the
Fraternity to paddling in any form, physical exercise
resulting in excessive fatigue or exhaustion, deprivation of
normal sleep and rest, any form of corporal or mental
punishment, the placement of anyone in actual or
simulated peril or jeopardy of unhealthy, undignified
methods and stunts, treasure hunts, road trips, kidnapping,
late work sessions or any other activities which interfere
with scholastics, embarrassing, ridiculous or disconcerting
treatment, or public ridicule or criticism that endanger the
safety or well-being of a brother or Pledge. For the
purposes of this section, the Fraternity hereby adopts and
incorporates by reference the duly adopted definition of
hazing, as it may hereafter be amended, of the NorthAmerican Interfraternity Conference, as well as the
applicable definition of hazing duly enacted as a law of any
state, province, or country wherein a Chapter or Colony of
the Fraternity is a recognized student organization. Any
inconsistencies that may exist with regard to the above
definitions of hazing are to be resolved, for the purpose of
this section, in favor of the most restrictive definition.
(b) Alcohol Abuse. For the purposes of this section,
"alcohol abuse" is defined to include the excessive
consumption of alcoholic beverages by brothers or Pledges
of the Fraternity to the extent that their mental or physical
faculties, or both, are appreciably impaired, and in
violation of applicable national laws or laws of subordinate
governing bodies or applicable college or university
regulations. The possession, use, sale, and/or consumption
of alcoholic beverages while on chapter premises, during
an official Fraternity event, or in any situation sponsored or
endorsed by Sigma Pi Fraternity shall be in compliance
with any and all applicable laws of the state, county, city,
and/or university. However, the consumption of alcohol at
any rush or recruitment function, including formal,
informal, and summer/break recruitment activities, is
strictly forbidden.
Amended by Convocation, August, 2010
Bylaws of the Sigma Pi Fraternity, International
(c) Drug Use. For the purposes of this section, "the
possession, sale and/or use of non-prescription narcotic
drugs and other controlled substances" is defined to include
the possession, growing, manufacturing, distribution or
sale by brothers or Pledges of the Fraternity of nonprescription narcotic drugs or other controlled substances
that are defined and expressly prohibited by applicable
national laws or laws of subordinate governing bodies or
by applicable college or university regulations. Such
activity by brothers and Pledges is hereby expressly
prohibited at any Sigma Pi house or sponsored Fraternity
event or at any event that would allow a normal observer to
view an activity as a Fraternity sponsored event.
(d) Sexual Abuse/Harassment.
Such activities by its
brothers and Pledges are hereby expressly prohibited. The
definition of sexual abuse or harassment shall include, but
not be limited to, actions that are demeaning to women,
date rape, gang rape, verbal harassment, lewd gestures or
offensive touching. The Fraternity hereby adopts and
incorporates by reference in this section the duly adopted
definitions on sexual abuse and sexual harassment as those
terms made from time to time hereinafter be amended, of
the North-American Interfraternity Conference.
(e) Vandalism/Theft. Vandalism, larceny or removing
from the premises as a prank, the real or personal property
belonging to a brother, a Chapter, Colony or Alumni Club
of the Fraternity by the brothers or Pledges of another
Chapter or Colony of the Fraternity is hereby expressly
prohibited. As a result of violation of this sub-section, a
Chapter or Colony of the Fraternity is subject to being
placed on probationary status, fined no less than two
hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) and/or required to make
full restitution in the discretion of the Grand Council of the
Fraternity in addition to the sanctions mentioned in the
following Section.
Section 10.
Sanctions of Prohibited Conduct.
Upon receipt of written notice of the same, the Executive
Office and Grand Council will review any alleged violations of
the aforementioned prohibited conduct on a case by case basis.
Sanctions for such violations may include the following:
(a) Sanctions to Individual Persons. As a result of any
violation of the preceding sections of this Bylaw relating to
prohibited conduct, a Pledge is subject to being denied
membership in the Fraternity and an Active brother is
subject to being expelled from the Fraternity, in
accordance with the provisions of this Bylaw.
(b) Sanctions to the Chapter. As a result of any violation
of the preceding sections of this Bylaw relating to
prohibited conduct, a Chapter of the Fraternity is subject to
having its charter placed in trusteeship, pending
reorganization of the Chapter, and a Colony of the
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Fraternity is subject to being suspended and denied a
charter, pending reorganization of the Colony, in
accordance with the provisions of Article VII of the
Constitution of the Fraternity. For the purpose of this
section, a Chapter or Colony of the Fraternity shall be
deemed to have violated the provisions of any of the
previous five sections of this Bylaw whenever a majority
of the current membership of the Chapter or Colony
permits any one or more of its brothers or Pledges to
violate openly any provision of those sections while on
Chapter or Colony premises, or while representing the
Chapter or Colony on college or university property, or
whenever at least twenty-five (25) percent of the current
membership of the Chapter or Colony acts in concert to
violate any provision of those sections, with or without the
knowledge or consent of the remaining brothers or pledges
of the Chapter or Colony, regardless of where or on whose
property said violation occurs.
Section 11.
Mandatory Compliance.
Should any Chapter fail to enforce any of the provisions of this
Bylaw, it shall be subject to probation for any determinate
period by the Grand Sage and Grand Third Counselor, in their
sole discretion. If, at the end of said probationary period, the
Chapter has not given satisfactory evidence of its intention to
fulfill the provisions of this Bylaw, the Grand Council may
deprive the Chapter of its right to vote at Convocation, and may
take other disciplinary action in its discretion, including,
without limitation, recall of the Chapter's charter.
BYLAW 5 - Obligations of Chapters
Section 1. The casting of votes by proxy upon any rule,
motion, measure, or proposal for membership whatsoever in
Chapter meetings is prohibited.
Section 2. Each Chapter shall pay into the treasury of the
Grand Chapter a semi-annual Convocation Assessment of three
hundred fifty dollars ($350.00), payable December 1 and April
1 of each year. The Sage and Third Counselor of each Chapter
shall be responsible for payment of the Convocation
Assessment on the specified dates without notice or invoice
from the Grand Chapter.
Said Convocation Assessment shall cover the cost of bonding
the Third Counselor, Sage and comptroller of all Chapters, each
for two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500.00) indemnity.
The balance of the payments remaining after the cost of
bonding has been met shall be deposited in a special
Convocation Fund and applied toward the expenses of the
Chapter delegates to Convocation.
Section 3. Each Chapter shall ensure that each Pledge, prior
to his Initiation, has completed all required membership records
Amended by Convocation, August, 2010
Bylaws of the Sigma Pi Fraternity, International
and paid the Sigma Pi Membership Fee stipulated in Section 4
below.
Section 4.
(a) The Sigma Pi Membership Fee shall be three hundred
fifty dollars ($350.00). In addition, a pledge fee of one
hundred fifty dollars ($150.00) shall be paid upon pledging
and which shall not be refundable under any conditions.
The membership fee for an Alumnus initiate shall be two
hundred dollars ($200.00), with no pledge fee, and shall
entitle the Alumnus initiate to the benefits set forth in
Paragraph (c) below.
(b) The Sage of each Chapter shall be responsible for
assuring that no Pledge shall be initiated until such time as
all applicable procedures for membership registration have
been properly completed, all membership fees have been
paid, and the pledge is not indebted for any amount to the
Chapter or the Grand Chapter.
(c) In consideration of payment of the Membership Fee,
each new brother shall receive a badge of the Fraternity, a
pocket membership card, a certificate of membership
suitable for framing, and a lifetime subscription to The
Emerald.
(d) A Chapter or Colony is subject to a fine of ten dollars
($10.00) per pledge and fifteen dollars ($15.00) per initiate
for failure to fully comply with pledge and membership
registration procedures as established by the Executive
Office, including without limitation, the failure to timely
submit required forms and fees.
Section 5. Each Chapter shall be allowed to regulate its fees
and dues in accordance with its individual needs and
requirements provided that such fees and dues shall be
sufficient to meet promptly when due all obligations to the
Grand Chapter.
Section 6. In the event that a Chapter becomes delinquent,
for a period of thirty (30) days, in remitting any other financial
obligation to the Grand Chapter, it shall be warned by the Chief
Executive Officer. A copy of the thirty-day (30) warning
notice shall also be sent to the Chapter Director, Province
Archon and Alumni Club if applicable. If such delinquency is
not addressed by the chapter with payment in full or with a
written plan approved by the Chief Executive Officer within
thirty (30) days thereafter (60 days total) the Grand Council
shall suspend the delinquent chapter. The Chief Executive
Officer, shall solicit the cooperation and assistance of the
institution authorities, the Chapter Director and the Chapter's
Alumni in curtailing or prohibiting said Chapter from holding
social activities or other Fraternity functions until such
delinquency has been corrected. When a chapter fails to remove
its financial delinquency with the Grand Chapter within a
period of thirty days (30) after having been placed on
suspension, the Grand Council may immediately remove the
Page 7 of 17
chapter‟s charter. It shall be mandatory upon the Grand
Council to report full particulars of all such actions at the next
Convocation. If the chapter defaults upon the approved
payment plan by more than thirty (30) days, the Grand Council
shall revoke the chapter‟s charter. While the chapter is making
payments, the chapter‟s present balance with the Executive
Office must remain current. The payment plan shall not exceed
two (2) years and shall be reviewed by the Grand Council two
(2) months before Convocation.
Section 7. Carbon copies, photocopies, or electronic
transmissions of the minutes of every Chapter meeting,
properly signed by the Sage and Fourth Counselor, shall be
forwarded to the Executive Office and the Chapter Director
promptly and regularly.
Section 8. Each Chapter, through its officers, shall be
responsible for completing and filing of such reports and forms
as provided for in these Bylaws, or as may be required from
time to time by the Grand Chapter.
Section 9. Each chartered chapter, colony, and chartered
alumni club, in good standing, shall be covered by the Sigma Pi
Fraternity blanket liability insurance policy. Other insured may
be covered at the discretion of the Chief Executive Officer.
The cost of the insurance shall be apportioned annually based
on chapter and members.
Section 10. All existing chapters and colonies seeking to
establish a chapter among Sigma Pi Fraternity, International
shall be subject to a minimum standards requirement for each
given year. The minimum standard for each chapter of Sigma
Pi Fraternity, International include, but are not limited to,
scholarship,
leadership,
citizenship,
awareness,
and
brotherhood. Any chapter not meeting said standards would
hereby be placed by the Grand Council on a one-year (1)
probation until the said standards are met, significant
improvements are made, or the chapter has been deemed
inactive by the Grand council for failure to meet said standards.
These standards will be reviewed and, if necessary, raised by a
permanent Standards Committee, that will convene at the
Convocation each biennium.
Section 11. No chapter will create, endorse or sponsor any
women‟s auxiliary group or "little sisters" organization.
Section 12. Any Chapter that fails to properly report a
membership of at least twenty-five (25) actives and pledges for
at least two (2) consecutive academic years may be suspended
at the discretion of the Grand Council.
BYLAW 6 - Elections
Section 1.
The Nominating Committee
(a) The Nominating Committee shall be appointed by the
Grand Sage at least ninety (90) days prior to the Biennial
Amended by Convocation, August, 2010
Bylaws of the Sigma Pi Fraternity, International
Convocation. This Committee shall be comprised of nine
(9) members, six (6) of which shall be Active brothers and
three (3) of which shall be Alumni brothers. The Grand
Sage shall appoint to serve on the committee a Chairman,
who shall be an Alumnus in good standing, a currently
serving Province Archon, and a currently serving Chapter
Director. The other six (6) members shall be Active
brothers in good standing and shall represent at least one
(1) Chapter from each of the four (4) Convocation regions
described in Bylaw 12. No brother shall serve on the
Committee, nor a Chapter be represented on the
Committee, more frequently than every third Convocation.
(b) Candidates seeking the endorsement of the
Nominating Committee shall submit a letter of intent to the
Chairman of the Committee no less than thirty (30) days
prior to the opening of Convocation, stating the Grand
Council office being sought and the candidate's
qualifications to serve.
e) A majority of all votes cast shall be necessary for an
election. If by reason of there being more than two
candidates, there be no election after the first ballot, then
the Convocation shall proceed to ballot on the two (2)
candidates who have received the highest number of votes
in the previous ballot.
f) The Installation of the officers elected shall take place at
the last regular session of the Convocation.
Section 3.
Qualifications for Grand Sage.
(a) A candidate for the office of Grand Sage must have
completed a minimum of one (1) biennium of service on
the Grand Council.
(b) A member who has previously completed two (2)
terms as Grand Sage shall not be a candidate for Grand
Sage.
(c) All candidates for Grand Council office must fully
disclose in writing any financial interests or any
involvement in Grand Chapter or subordinate body's
holdings which may create a conflict of interest. Such
disclosure shall be submitted to the Nominating Committee
sufficiently prior to elections to allow time for review.
This requirement applies to all candidates including those
who have not been considered by the Committee.
Section 4. Any Grand Chapter Officer having been outside
of the boundaries of the representative countries of the
Fraternity for a period of six continuous months shall
immediately present his resignation to the Grand Council. Any
Grand Chapter Officer who establishes a permanent residence
outside of the representative countries of the Fraternity shall
present his resignation to the Grand Council upon such
establishment.
(d) Should any candidate be considered by the
Nominating Committee who is affiliated with the same
Chapter as a member of the Committee, than that member
shall recuse himself from participating in any discussion
and voting about that candidate.
Section 5. The election of officers in each Chapter shall be
held at least once a year, at such times as shall be set forth in
the bylaws of such Chapter. Candidates for office in a Chapter
must be in good standing according to the requirements
established by the host institution or Interfraternity Council.
The election of officers in each Alumni Club shall be held at
least every two years at such times and intervals as may be set
forth in the Bylaws of such Alumni Club. Candidates for office
in an Alumni Club must be in good standing.
Section 2. Nominating Committee Report and Elections
Procedures.
a) The report of the Nominating Committee shall be made
as the first order of business at the morning session of the
second day of the Convocation of the Grand Chapter and
shall include the reading of this section in full.
b) The report of the Nominating Committee shall be
received, but the elections of Grand Officers shall not be
held until the expiration of twenty-four (24) hours, neither
shall the nominations for any Grand Council office be
closed until the presiding officer calls for the election of
that office.
c) All members of the Grand Council shall be elected by
ballot, unless there be but one (1) candidate, in which case
the election may be made by acclamation.
Section 6. The terms of office of all Grand Chapter Officers
shall begin at the close of the Convocation electing them. The
terms of all Chapter Officers shall begin at the close of the
meeting at which they are installed. The terms of all Alumni
Club Officers shall begin at the close of the meeting at which
they are elected.
Section 7. Notwithstanding any provision of this Bylaw to
the contrary, all Grand Chapter Officers, Chapter Officers, and
Alumni Club Officers, whether elected or appointed, shall
perform the duties of their respective offices until their
successors shall have been elected or appointed and installed.
d) No vote shall be counted except those cast for regular
nominees.
Page 8 of 17
Amended by Convocation, August, 2010
Bylaws of the Sigma Pi Fraternity, International
BYLAW 7 - Duties of
Grand Chapter Officers
Section 1. The Grand Council shall adopt clear and
comprehensive policies describing governance process,
council-management delegation, executive limitation and the
desired ends to be achieved. The Grand Council shall monitor
the Chief Executive Officer‟s performance and organizational
compliance with ends and executive limitations policies
through a predetermined structure on a regular basis. The
Grand Council shall provide a report of said policies at each
Convocation.
Section 2. The Grand Sage shall be the Chairman of the
Board and Chief Governance Officer of the Fraternity. He shall
cause to be enforced at all times all the provisions of the
Constitution and Bylaws as are now enacted, or shall hereafter
be enacted. He shall preside at all meetings of the Grand
Chapter or the Grand Council and decide on all points of order.
In addition, the Grand Sage shall appoint all committees not
otherwise provided for, and require all elected officers and
committees to keep him fully informed concerning their
respective offices. He shall have the power and authority to
suspend, with the consent of the Grand Council, from any
office any officer of the Grand Chapter or its subordinate
bodies who may be guilty of gross misconduct or malfeasance
in office until such officer has established his innocence before
a Convocation. He shall fill by appointment, with the consent
of the Grand Council, all temporarily vacant offices. Finally,
the Grand Sage shall provide for the installation of all Grand
Chapter Officers, including his successor, at the end of his term
of office, and in general shall perform all such other duties as
his office may require.
Section 3. The Grand Second Counselor shall assist the Grand
Sage in the administration of his office, shall be the chaplain of
the Fraternity, and in the absence or inability of the Grand Sage
to perform his duties shall administer the office of the Grand
Sage.
Section 4. The Grand Third Counselor shall see to it that the
Grand Council is sufficiently advised to prepare sound financial
policies to direct the Chief Executive Officer about the
financial expectations of the Grand Council. The Grand Third
Counselor shall also countersign all charters, membership
certificates, and other Fraternity documents as may be
necessary.
Section 5. The Grand Fourth Counselor shall perform the
duties usually incumbent upon the secretary of an organization.
He shall keep a true and concise record of the meetings of the
Grand Council and shall transcribe the same into the permanent
records of the Fraternity. He shall countersign all charters,
membership certificates, and other Fraternity documents as
may be necessary.
Page 9 of 17
Section 6. The Grand First Counselor shall be the warden and
sergeant-at-arms. It shall be his duty also to see to it that the
Grand Council is sufficiently advised to prepare sound policies
concerning risk management to direct the Chief Executive
Officer about the risk management expectations of the Grand
Council.
Section 7. The Grand Herald shall see to it that the Grand
Council is kept advised as to the assignment and care of
Manuals of Ceremonies in the Executive Office, and is
empowered to make any necessary changes therein from time
to time, subject to the approval of the Grand Council. He shall
keep an accurate history of the Fraternity, and shall be the
custodian of its archives.
Section 8. Upon expiration of their terms or tenure of office,
all Grand Chapter Officers shall turn over to their successors, or
to such brother or brothers as may be designated by the Grand
Council, all books, papers, correspondence, or other matter
pertaining to their office or to the Fraternity that may have been
held in trust by reason of their office.
Section 9. Grand Chapter Officers and/or the Chief
Executive Officer shall not appoint, install, or charge a brother
with more than two (2) committees, appointments, or Grand
Chapter roles during any biennium.
BYLAW 8 - Duties of Chapter
and Alumni Club Officers
Section 1. The Sage shall be the administrative head of the
Chapter, and perform such duties as usually devolve upon a
presiding officer. He shall cause to be enforced at all times all
the laws and provisions of both the Grand Chapter and his
Chapter. He shall preside at all Chapter meetings and decide
on all points of order. He shall appoint all officers and
committees not otherwise provided for in the Chapter laws and
regulations. The Sage shall be responsible to the Grand
Chapter for the general management and conduct of the affairs
of his Chapter, and by virtue of his high office shall be the
guardian of the honor and welfare of the Chapter. The Sage
shall also post the appropriate section of the FIPG Risk
Management Policy in a prominent area of the chapter
dwelling, or if this is not an option, the brothers and pledges
will be made aware of such risk management policy. He shall
countersign checks drawn on Chapter funds, and it shall be his
duty to prepare a Monthly Report on the overall activities of his
Chapter and to forward same regularly to both the Executive
Office and the Chapter Director by the tenth (10) of the
following month. Finally, the Sage shall provide for the
installation of Chapter Officers, including his successor, at the
end of his term of office, and shall perform all such other duties
as may be required of him by the Chapter and the Grand
Chapter.
Amended by Convocation, August, 2010
Bylaws of the Sigma Pi Fraternity, International
Section 2. The Second Counselor shall assist the Sage in the
administration of his office, and shall preside over the Chapter
in the absence or disability of the Sage.
Section 3. The Third Counselor shall collect and hold all
monies, notes, and securities belonging to the Chapter and not
otherwise provided for. He shall keep an accurate record of all
receipts and expenditures in accordance with the provisions of,
and perform the duties specified in Bylaw 20. He shall notify
each brother of his financial obligations to the Chapter and
collect the same; he shall pay out all monies only upon
approval of the Chapter, and all checks shall be countersigned
by the Chapter Director or the Sage. He shall collect and remit
to the Grand Chapter such fees, assessments and reports as are
set forth in these Bylaws, or as may be required by the Grand
Council or a Convocation of the Grand Chapter. At the
expiration of his term of office he shall turn over to his duly
elected or appointed successor all monies, securities, books,
files, records and other properties belonging to the Chapter and
entrusted to his care.
Section 4. The Fourth Counselor shall keep an accurate
record of the proceedings of all meetings of the Chapter, which,
upon approval of the Chapter, he shall faithfully transcribe in
the permanent minute book of the Chapter and forward a copy
to both the Executive Office and the Chapter Director by the
tenth (10) day of the following month. He shall keep an
accurate record of attendance at meetings; he shall conduct
such correspondence as required of his office, and keep copies
of all letters which he or other Chapter Officers may write on
Fraternity matters; and he shall preserve and file all
correspondence, records, and reports relating to the affairs of
the Chapter. It shall also be his duty to fill out, or have filled
out and signed, all Initiate Registration forms for new brothers
and perform such other duties as usually devolve upon the
secretary of an organization, and which may be required of him
by the Chapter or the Grand Chapter.
Section 5. The First Counselor shall be the warden and
sergeant-at-arms in addition to serving as alumni secretary or
any other duty as assigned by the Sage. It shall be his duty also
to enforce discipline of brothers of the Fraternity when directed
to do so by the Sage, the Chapter, the Executive Council, or the
Constitution and Bylaws of the Fraternity or the local Chapter.
Section 6. The Herald shall faithfully keep a record or
history of all important happenings in the chapter, recording
same in the Membership Record and History Book provided for
that purpose. He shall arrange to file for each new initiate in
the Membership Record and History Book a Pledge and
Membership Record (Form M2). He shall also preserve in a
suitable manner all newspaper and magazine clippings
concerning the Chapter, its brothers and the Fraternity, and
shall perform such other duties as are incumbent upon the
Historian of an organization.
Section 7.
Page 10 of 17
Removal of Chapter Officers.
(a) Unless otherwise provided by Chapter bylaws, any
officer of a Chapter may be removed from office upon
motion of any active brother in good standing and a threefourths (3/4) vote of the Chapter at a regular or special
meeting, provided, however that a vote on such motion
shall automatically be postponed at least seven days but no
more than fourteen (14) days after the motion was made.
(b) Alternatively, an officer may also be removed by the
Grand Sage upon written petition to him by a Chapter
Director or Province Archon. The petition shall clearly
state the grounds for such removal, including, but not
limited to, specific violations of the Fraternity‟s
Constitution and Bylaws, any act of dishonesty against the
Chapter or violations of any federal, state or local laws, or
those of the host institution.
(c) If a Chapter officer is removed from office under
provisions of this Section, he may file a written appeal to
the Grand Council within seven (7) days from the date of
his removal from office. The Grand Council shall review
the appeal and render a decision on the appeal within
fourteen (14) days from the receipt of such appeal. The
decision of the Grand Council upon the appeal of any
Chapter officer removed from office under this section
shall be final.
Section 8. Each Chapter may provide in its local laws and
regulations for such committees and offices as are not provided
for in these Bylaws, and which may be deemed advisable for
the welfare of the Chapter. Chapter elected officers functioning
as an administrative body similar to the Grand Council in the
Grand Chapter shall be termed the Executive Council. In
addition to an Executive Council, each Chapter shall provide in
its bylaws for at least six (6) other regular committees, namely:
membership recruitment, brother education, finance,
scholarship, social and intramural.
Section 9. In addition to the foregoing duties, each Chapter
Officer shall perform such duties and functions as are assigned
to him, and complete such forms and reports as may be
required from time to time by the Grand Chapter. At the end of
his term of office, each Chapter Officer shall prepare and
submit a written report covering the functions of his office, his
experiences, and recommendations for his successor. Upon the
expiration of their terms of office, officers of the Chapter shall
turn over to their duly elected or appointed successors all
books, records, correspondence, or other matters pertaining to
his office or to the Chapter.
Section 10. The officers of an Alumni Club and their duties
shall include but not be limited to the following:
(a) The President shall be the presiding and administrative
officer. He shall be the exponent of the Club in all official
relations with the Grand Chapter. He shall exercise the
authority and responsibilities with which he may be
invested by the club over which he presides.
Amended by Convocation, August, 2010
Bylaws of the Sigma Pi Fraternity, International
(b) The Secretary/Treasurer shall be the corresponding
and recording officer of the Club as well as receive and
disburse the funds of the Club under the rules and
regulations ordained by it. He shall perform any other
duties prescribed for his office by the Club. Alumni Clubs
may elect a separate Secretary and Treasurer if such offices
are prescribed by the Alumni Club‟s Bylaws.
(c) Alumni Clubs may elect other officers as prescribed
by the Alumni Club‟s Bylaws.
BYLAW 9 - Expansion
Section 1. The Fraternity and each of its subordinate bodies
supports a policy of open expansion for fraternities on all
college and university campuses.
Section 2.
The Chief Executive Officer will maintain and
approve a manual of policy, supplementing and not conflicting
with these bylaws, covering the topics of expansion,
establishment of colonies, chartering of chapters, and standards
and requirements thereof. Such a policy manual will be
updated at least biennially, will be made available to any
member of the Fraternity so requesting, and will be provided to
each group established as a Colony of the Fraternity.
Section 3. After being established as provided in Article VII,
Section 1 of the Constitution of the Fraternity, a Colony may
formally pledge such men as it may select subject only to the
membership qualifications of the Fraternity. A Colony shall be
supervised by a Chapter Director or by a committee appointed
by the Chief Executive Officer.
Section 4.
The Colony's petition to charter will be sent to
the Chief Executive Officer, who shall have summary copies
distributed. The Grand Sage shall require an inspection of each
local or Colony and an analysis of campus conditions, before
any group shall be approved for chartering. Within sixty (60)
days after the petitions have been distributed, the matter shall
be voted as required in Article VII, Section 2 of the
Constitution of the Fraternity. The results of such voting shall
be recorded by the Chief Executive Officer and reported at the
following Convocation. If such petition fails to receive the
necessary approval, the Colony may correct any deficiencies
and resubmit their petition and if the petition again fails to
obtain approval, the matter shall not again be resubmitted until
after a period of six (6) months.
Section 5.
(a) Charter Fee: A petitioning group shall pay a fee of
two thousand dollars ($2,000.00) into the Grand Chapter
treasury for the granting of a Chapter, in addition to the
Sigma Pi Membership fee paid by each individual which is
described below. For said charter fee, the newly instituted
Chapter shall be furnished with all standard forms and
supplies necessary for conducting the business and
maintaining the essential records of the Chapter; and in
addition, shall be furnished with necessary ritualistic
equipment. Additional ritualistic equipment shall be
available for purchase from the Executive Office at prices
established from time to time by the Chief Executive
Officer.
(b) Membership Fee for Local Fraternity/Colony: The
Sigma Pi Membership Fee for each member of a Colony
shall be three hundred fifty dollars ($350.00). In addition,
a pledge fee of one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00) shall be
paid upon pledging and which shall not be refundable
under any conditions. The Grand Council may authorize a
lower Membership Fee for Alumni of a petitioning local.
Section 6. All charter and other fees or assessments in
connection with the chartering of a Chapter shall be paid to the
Fraternity in advance of the Charter being issued.
BYLAW 10 - Provinces
Section 1. Provinces shall be designated geographically.
Chapters, Colonies and Alumni Clubs may be added to or
removed from any province at the discretion of the Chief
Executive Officer.
Section 2.
follows:
The duties of the Province Archon shall be as
(a) Submit candidates for the position of Chapter Director
for all Chapters and colonies in his assigned area.
(b) Assist the Executive Office in the formation,
organization and support of Alumni Clubs.
(c) Meet with the IFC and university officials at campuses
selected for expansion and securing permission to develop
a Chapter and to assist with expansion within the Province.
(d) To improve relations between the Fraternity and host
institutions.
(e) To carry out other specific duties as may be assigned
by the Chief Executive Officer.
Section 3.
follows:
Page 11 of 17
The duties of the Chapter Director shall be as
Amended by Convocation, August, 2010
Bylaws of the Sigma Pi Fraternity, International
(a) To communicate directly with the Chief Executive
Officer or one of the designated assistants, on all problems
involving his assigned Chapters.
shall have been transacted. Whenever possible the Grand Sage
shall provide for a model exemplification of the Ritual at
Convocation.
(b) Whenever possible, to attend and to participate in all
leadership conferences that may be established by the
Chief Executive Officer and to encourage similar
attendance and participation on the part of the leaders of
his assigned Chapter.
Section 2. The place and date of meetings shall be
designated by the Grand Council, upon the recommendation of
the Grand Sage within the framework of successive
geographical regions, said regions being four (4) in number and
designated as Northeastern Region (which includes
Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland,
Massachusetts, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, New
Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Nova Scotia,
Pennsylvania, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Rhode Island,
and Vermont); Midwestern Region (which includes Illinois,
Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Manitoba, Michigan, Minnesota,
Missouri, Nunavut, Nebraska, North Dakota, Northwest
Territories, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, South Dakota, Texas,
and Wisconsin); Southern Region (which includes Alabama,
Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi,
North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West
Virginia); and the Western Region ( which includes Alaska,
Alberta, Arizona, British Columbia, California, Colorado,
Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon,
Saskatchewan, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and Yukon
Territory).
(c) To enforce the provisions of Bylaw 4, of the Grand
Chapter with regard to the discipline of Chapter brothers
with financial delinquencies.
(d) To encourage compliance by his assigned Chapter of
all rules and regulations of the Grand Chapter and of the
host institution.
(e) To promote programs within his assigned Chapter
which assist in making Sigma Pi the best Fraternity on that
campus.
(f) To ensure that each newly installed officer of his
assigned Chapter receives adequate training with regard to
the duties of his office.
(g) To review Chapter programs on membership
education and to participate whenever possible in such
programs.
(h) To promote the proper use of the Ritual by his
assigned Chapter.
(i) To determine that all new Pledges and Initiates are
properly reported to the Executive Office and that all
Pledge and Initiate Fees are paid promptly and transmitted
to the Executive Office.
(j) To confirm that all required reports are filed promptly
with the Executive Office by his assigned Chapter and to
review carefully all copies of said reports he receives.
(k) To attend as many meetings and other functions of his
assigned Chapter as possible on a regular basis.
(l) To nominate Alumni to the Chief Executive Officer to
serve on the Chapter‟s Alumni Advisory Board, and to
serve as Chairman of same.
BYLAW 11 - Convocations of the Grand
Chapter
Section 1. The Convocation of the Grand Chapter shall be
held biennially and shall convene at a time and place chosen by
the Grand Council, continuing in a single session of multiple
meetings held upon successive days until all necessary business
Page 12 of 17
Section 3. Each Chapter of the Fraternity shall be entitled to
representation in the Convocation by one (1) delegate and one
(1) alternate delegate, provided such Chapter is in good
standing with the Fraternity. Each Chapter shall provide in its
local bylaws for the manner in which to elect or appoint its
Convocation delegates. As a matter of general policy the
Chapter Sage should be one of the candidates for delegate.
Certification of official Chapter delegates shall be filed with the
Grand Chapter on forms provided for that purpose.
Section 4. The Grand Sage will preside over the
Convocation of the Grand Chapter. In case of his absence from
a business meeting of the Convocation delegates, he shall
appoint a Chairman pro tempore to preside until his return,
following the guidelines contained in the adopted rules of
procedure or parliamentary authority.
Section 5. At the Convocation, full and complete written
reports shall be made by all Grand Chapter Officers, the Editor
of The Emerald, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chapters
and Alumni Clubs, as well as by all committees which may
have existed during the period covered since the last
Convocation. Official Chapter reports shall be filed with the
Chief Executive Officer in advance of the meeting of the Grand
Chapter, on or before a date to be designated by the Chief
Executive Officer.
Section 6. The Convocation shall consider and transact all
matters of business of a general or special nature as may
properly be brought before it, pertaining to the interests of the
Fraternity, including all matters of government, amendments to
the Constitution, the adoption of new and the amendment of
Amended by Convocation, August, 2010
Bylaws of the Sigma Pi Fraternity, International
existing Bylaws, changes in the Manual of Ceremonies, etc.
All amendments to the Bylaws which may have been
promulgated by the Grand Council subsequent to the last
Convocation shall be considered and ratified or rejected.
Section 7. Admission to the meetings of the Convocation of
the Grand Chapter shall be granted only to duly initiated
brothers of Sigma Pi who can establish their identity.
Recording secretaries and guests may be admitted at the
invitation of the Grand Sage; all others may be admitted only
by a majority vote.
Section 8.
Parliamentary Procedure.
(a) The rules contained in the current edition of Robert's
Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the Fraternity
in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they
do not conflict with these Bylaws or any rules of order the
Grand Chapter may adopt. This applies to all meetings of
the Grand Chapter, of committees of the Grand Chapter,
and of Grand Council.
(b) A quorum shall be defined as a majority of the number
of Chapter delegates, Alumni Club delegates, and alumni
eligible to vote, who are registered and whose credentials
have been certified.
Section 9. In the Convocation, the voting shall be limited to
those who have registered, who are in attendance, who have
submitted credentials attesting that they meet one of criteria
below, and who have had those credentials certified by the
Convocation Credentials Committee.
(a) Each Chapter represented in the Convocation by a
delegate shall be entitled to two (2) votes, provided that
such Chapter is in good standing with the Fraternity. In the
absence of the delegate at the time of a vote, the alternate
delegate shall be entitled to cast the Chapter's votes.
(b) Each duly chartered Alumni Club represented in the
Convocation by a delegate shall be entitled to one (1) vote
provided that such Alumni Club is in good standing with
the Fraternity.
(c) All Current Grand Chapter Officers, Past Grand
Chapter Officers, Honorary Grand Officers, and Founders
Award recipients in good standing with the Fraternity shall
be entitled to a voice and one vote in the Convocations of
the Grand Chapter. However, none of these will be
entitled to an additional vote by virtue of such title if he is
currently serving as a Chapter delegate, Alumni Club
delegate, or holds more than one of these titles.
(d) Only votes cast by those who are present and voting,
shall be counted in Grand Chapter meetings. The casting
of votes by proxy or by absentee or mailed ballot upon any
motion is prohibited in Convocation meetings of the Grand
Chapter. In meetings of the Grand Council or interim
Page 13 of 17
committees of the Grand Chapter, voting by absentee or
mailed ballot is allowed, but proxy voting is prohibited.
Section 10. The aggregate Convocation expenses of Chapter
delegates, less such amount as may be made available from
Chapter dues as provided for in Bylaw 5, Section 2, shall be
apportioned equally to each Chapter. Not less than thirty (30)
day‟s notice shall be given of the Convocation assessment, and
any Chapter which fails to pay its Convocation assessment to
the Grand Chapter within the time to be fixed by the Grand
Sage shall forfeit its right to be represented at the Convocation,
but such forfeiture shall not relieve the Chapter from its
obligation to pay said assessment.
Section 11. Expenses incurred for Grand Chapter officers and
chapter delegates may be reimbursed in whole or in part by the
Fraternity in accordance with the policies established by the
Chief Executive Officer.
Section 12. Representation at Convocation and Sigma Pi
University by all Chapters and Colonies of the Fraternity is
deemed to be in the best interest of both the Grand Chapter and
the local Chapters, and therefore, representation is mandatory.
Failure to send at least one (1) Chapter/Colony representative to
Sigma Pi University and/or Convocation will result in a fine.
a) Failure to send at least one Chapter/Colony
representative to Sigma Pi University will result in a fine
of five hundred dollars ($500.00) for the first absence and
one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) for all subsequent,
consecutive absences thereafter. Fine for failure to attend
Sigma Pi University shall not exceed one thousand dollars
($1,000.00) per offense.
b) Failure to send at least one Chapter/Colony
representative to Convocation will result in a fine of one
thousand dollars ($1,000.00) for the first absence and one
thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500.00) for all
consecutive absences thereafter. Chapter/Colony fine for
consecutive Convocation absences shall not exceed one
thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500.00) per occurrence.
c) The Grand Council shall consider any reasonable
explanation before levying these fines and may waive any
such fine in its sole discretion.
Section 13. The Creed of Sigma Pi shall be recited at the
beginning of each formal business session prior to the
discussion of Fraternity business.
BYLAW 12 - North-American
Interfraternity Conference
Section 1. This Fraternity shall maintain membership in and
be represented at the meetings of the North-American
Interfraternity Conference. The delegates to the annual or other
Amended by Convocation, August, 2010
Bylaws of the Sigma Pi Fraternity, International
designated meetings of the Conference shall be appointed by
the Grand Sage in office at the time of such meeting.
Section 2. The delegate and alternate to the House of
Delegates of the North-American Interfraternity Conference
shall be appointed by the Grand Sage.
Section 3. As a member of the North-American
Interfraternity Conference, the Fraternity shall abide by its
regulations and the principles of interfraternity community,
cooperate in advancing the general welfare of fraternities, and
make use of, as well as promote to the fullest extent, such
recommendations, resolutions, statements and doctrines as may
be adopted or advocated by the Conference.
BYLAW 13 - Publications
Section 1. The official publication of the Fraternity shall be
called The Emerald. The frequency of publication and the price
of subscriptions shall be determined by the Grand Council. The
Emerald shall be devoted to the interests of the Fraternity, but
no matter of a private or secret nature shall be published
therein.
Section 2. The Editor of The Emerald shall be appointed by
the Chief Executive Officer, and shall be responsible to him in
the discharge of his duties. He may appoint such associate and
assistant editors and correspondents as he may deem necessary.
The Editor of The Emerald may be allowed a compensation for
his services, to be fixed by the Chief Executive Officer. The
Chief Executive Officer or a member of the Executive Office
staff designated by him shall be the Business Manager of The
Emerald.
Section 3. The Proceeds derived for the publication of The
Emerald shall be paid into the Grand Chapter treasury, and the
cost of the publication shall be borne by the Fraternity.
Section 4. An award to be known as the Fitzpatrick/Reston
Emerald Award of Merit shall be awarded annually to the
Chapter making the greatest contribution to The Emerald; said
award shall be made by, and based upon such rules and
standards as may be prescribed and formulated by a committee
consisting of the Editor of The Emerald as chairman, the Chief
Executive Officer, and one other member selected by them.
Section 5. Chapters may issue publications for circulation
among their brothers and Alumni, but such publications shall
contain nothing that is detrimental to the Fraternity. Each
Chapter shall send copies of its publications, free of cost, to the
Executive Office, the Editor of The Emerald, and the Grand
Chapter Officers.
Section 6. The Chief Executive Officer may publish as
occasion warrants an esoteric paper to be known as The Keryx
and mail same free of charge to all initiated brothers of the
Fraternity in good standing.
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BYLAW 14 - Insignia and Observances
Section 1. Upon timely meeting all initiation requirements, a
newly initiated brother will receive a Sigma Pi badge directly
from the Executive Office.
Section 2. Brothers of the Fraternity may purchase a Sigma
Pi badge directly from one of the duly appointed jewelers of the
Fraternity. Before an order is processed for any badge, a
release shall be issued from the Executive Office of the
Fraternity. Releases will be issued of all requests from the
official jeweler provided the members' records on file with the
Executive Office are in order.
Section 3. No brother of the Fraternity shall purchase or
procure any badge of the Fraternity from any person, firm, or
corporation other than the duly appointed official jewelers of
the Fraternity. Any badge purchased from a duly appointed
jeweler must bear the member's international membership
number. No brother shall attach to his badge guard the insignia
of an office not duly held.
Section 4. The title to badges shall be considered as vested in
the Fraternity, and only licensed to brothers so long as they are
in good standing. The Grand Chapter may require the return of
all badges and insignia in the event of suspension or expulsion.
Section 5. February twenty-sixth is hereby officially
declared to be the Founders' Day of Sigma Pi, and on
approximately that date each year the Chapters of the Fraternity
shall observe the establishment of the Fraternity with
appropriate ceremony.
Section 6. Each Chapter shall observe and celebrate with
appropriate ceremonies or activities important anniversary
dates in the history of the Chapter.
BYLAW 15 - Executive Office and
Chief Executive Officer
Section 1. All business, financial, and membership records
of the Fraternity, except as otherwise provided for, shall be
maintained and preserved at the Executive Office. It shall be
the repository for reports of Chapter Officers, and committees,
and serve as the clearing house for general information and
correspondence, unless otherwise provided for.
Section 2. The Chief Executive Officer shall receive the
salary fixed from time to time by the Grand Council, and he
shall give bond conditioned for the faithful accounting of all
monies coming into his hands by virtue of his employment in
an amount and with sureties approved by the Grand Council,
the premium for which bond shall be paid by the Grand
Chapter.
Amended by Convocation, August, 2010
Bylaws of the Sigma Pi Fraternity, International
Section 3. The Chief Executive Officer shall be the
employee of the Grand Chapter, and he shall devote his whole
time to the interests of the Fraternity. He shall take over and
assume such administrative functions and duties as shall be
delegated and assigned to him from time to time by the Grand
Council. He shall be authorized to sign checks and vouchers
drawn on accounts of the Grand Chapter. He shall attest to the
signatures of Grand Officers on Charters, contracts,
agreements, or other documents in which the Grand Chapter is
named as a party. He shall receive and care for all monies,
notes, securities, and documents belonging to the Fraternity and
shall keep full and accurate records and accounts of all the
business and affairs of the Grand Chapter and shall make
reports with respect thereto, whenever so ordered by the Grand
Council. It shall also be his, duty to collect and preserve in the
Executive Office complete files of The Emerald and all Chapter
publications as well as other memorabilia of the Fraternity.
Section 4. Assistants to the Chief Executive Officer and
other Executive Office employees shall be hired as may be
necessary. Their salaries shall be provided for in the current
budget of the Fraternity. They shall be directly responsible to
the Chief Executive Officer. The Grand Chapter shall pay what
is commonly known as social security taxes, unemployment
taxes and such other employee benefits as required by law, and
in addition all salaried employees shall be entitled to such
employee benefits as may be approved by the Chief Executive
Officer.
Section 5. At a time before the Grand Council elections
occur, the Chief Executive Officer shall appear and answer
questions from the Grand Chapter‟s delegates for at least one
(1) hour at every Convocation.
BYLAW 16 - Grand Chapter Budget
Section 1. The Fraternity fiscal year shall begin July 1 and
end the following June 30. A budget shall be provided for each
fiscal year. The form of the budget and items of anticipated
revenues and disbursement shall coincide to the extent
reasonably practicable with the books of account as set up or
revised from time to time for the Grand Chapter.
Section 2. The Chief Executive Officer shall open and keep
books of account including schedules and auxiliary records as
may be necessary, that shall show at all times the state of the
Fraternity's finances with respect to the budget. A full report
showing the state of the budget, and each revenue and
disbursement item therein and a projected budget for the
ensuing fiscal year, shall be submitted at each regular
Convocation by the Chief Executive Officer. Adequate time
for questions from delegates shall be allowed.
Section 3. In the event that income should fall below
requirements, or be inadequate to carry on the business of the
Grand Chapter in a manner conducive to the best interests of
the Fraternity, the Chief Executive Officer shall have the
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authority to borrow at terms he deems satisfactory from
whatever source available, such funds as might be necessary or
expedient. Provisions for repayment of monies so borrowed
shall be provided for in the Grand Chapter budget.
Section 4. Before such Convocation of the Grand Chapter, it
shall be the duty of the Chief Executive Officer to cause the
books and accounts that are maintained at the Executive Office
for the Fraternity and its subsidiaries to be audited or reviewed
by a public accounting firm with the audit reports attested by a
Certified Public Accountant. Financial records separate from or
which augment those at the Executive Office shall also be
audited or reviewed.
Section 5. At the conclusion of every fiscal year the Chief
Executive Officer shall report to all chapters and alumni
organizations the financial status of the Grand Chapter with
statements including but not limited to a balance sheet, a budget
vs. actual expenses analysis, and a statement of activities
detailing all income and expenses for that fiscal year.
Additionally, any audit reports shall be provided at the time of
their preparation to all chapters and alumni organizations.
Section 6. By the end of the first month of the fiscal year, the
Executive Office will make available the budget for that fiscal
year to all Fraternity officials including chapter members,
Chapter Directors, Province Archons, and Alumni
Associations.
BYLAW 17 - Committees of the Grand
Chapter
Section 1. The Judicial Review Committee shall be charged
only with considering various Requests for Reconsideration of
expulsions, as provided by Bylaw 4. It shall consist of five (5)
members appointed by the Grand Sage. The members shall
include a Grand Officer, a Chapter Director, a Province
Archon, and two (2) Chapter Sages. In the event of a conflict
of interest, the Grand Sage shall have the sole discretion to
appoint a replacement committee member for consideration of
that appeal.
Section 2. The Grand Council may, from time to time,
authorize the formation of other committees as it deems
necessary to assist in the achievement of development of its
ends policies.
BYLAW 18 - Scholarship and Standards
Section 1. Each Chapter of the Fraternity shall be subject to
the following standards of Academic Excellence. The Grand
Chapter, seeing that the following standards are a minimum,
encourages each Chapter to set local standards higher than that
of its host institution and the Grand Chapter.
Amended by Convocation, August, 2010
Bylaws of the Sigma Pi Fraternity, International
(a) All Pledges must meet a GPA requirement of 2.25 on
a 4.0 scale or equivalent prior to initiation.
(iii) hold at least one (1) Sam Spady event per year as
the scope of that project is defined by the Executive Office.
(b) Each Chapter of the Fraternity will maintain an annual
cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale or a GPA equal to or
above the all-men‟s average on that campus. Each member
will maintain a 2.25 GPA on a 4.0 scale or GPA equal to or
above the all-men‟s average on the campus.
(b) Awareness: Each chapter shall provide for its Pledges
and for its executive officers, seminars addressing
substance abuse, hazing, sexual assault, etc.
(c) Each member will maintain a 2.25 GPA on a 4.0 scale
or GPA equal to or above the all-men‟s average on the
campus in order to server as a Chapter officer or to serve as
a “Big Brother”, “Pledge Dad” or similar new member
mentorship role. Under extenuating circumstances, the
Chapter may, with a three-fourths (3/4) vote, grant an
exception to the above provision.
Section 2. Each Chapter of the Fraternity shall have a
Scholarship Committee headed by a chairman appointed by the
Sage. The chairman should have at least a junior standing in
the college or university and should have a good academic
record. The Sage of each Chapter shall be an ex-officio
member of the Scholarship Committee. The powers and duties
of the committee should comply with the rules and policies of
the Fraternity and host institution. The Scholarship Committee
shall be empowered to present awards to brothers or Pledges of
a Chapter for outstanding Scholarship.
Each Chapter shall have in place an academic incentives
program to recognize academic excellence of individual
Pledges and brothers.
Section 3. The Fraternity believes that the responsibility for
improvement of scholarship rests initially with each brother or
Pledge and secondly with each Chapter. However, there may
be instances wherein it is evident that certain brothers or
Pledges and/or Chapters are consistently unable to meet the
minimum standards of good scholarship. In such instances, the
standing committee will review the record and recommend to
the Grand Council such steps as may be required to meet the
standards. Failure to make satisfactory progress may subject
the brother, Pledge, or Chapter to disciplinary action pursuant
to Bylaw 4.
Section 4. Each Chapter of the Fraternity will strive to
maintain minimum standards in areas not limited to but
including citizenship, awareness, leadership, and brotherhood.
(a) Citizenship: Each chapter and colony shall:
(i) hold at least one (1) general philanthropy event per
year;
(ii) hold at least one (1) ACE event per year as the
scope of that project is defined by the Executive Office;
and
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(c) Leadership: That a majority of each chapter should
participate in intramural athletics and/or organizations
outside the chapter.
(d) Brotherhood: That each chapter will carry no debt with
the Grand Chapter and will not allow membership to
decline by more than 50% over a four year period.
BYLAW 19 - Chapter Finance
Section 1. Each active Chapter and Colony of the Fraternity
shall establish a system of budgeting and accounting which
provides an adequate accounting or bookkeeping system with
controls. Regardless of the accounting period, it will be the
responsibility of each Chapter to mail to the Chief Executive
Officer the Finance Report required by the Grand Chapter for
the preceding month. Each Chapter must file with its first
report a statement of the number of accounting periods in its
operating year, and whether it operates on a calendar or a fiscal
month basis. Such report shall also show a summary of all
accounts receivable from Actives and Pledges which are unpaid
as of the last day of the preceding report.
Section 2. Each Chapter of Sigma Pi Fraternity that operates
a Fraternity house, or owns real estate or other fixed assets,
shall have an Alumni Housing Corporation or similar
organization to govern such assets. The Chapter‟s Alumni
Club may perform this function if the Chapter and Alumni Club
come to an appropriate agreement.
(a) The Chapter Alumni Housing Corporation shall
preferably be in the form of a permanent corporation under
the laws of the state in which it operates. Where such a
corporation is not desirable, practical, or necessary, a
voluntary unincorporated organization of Alumni shall be
effected. The membership of either a corporate association
or a voluntary organization should be restricted to Alumni
of the Chapter. All the business and financial affairs of
such Alumni Housing Corporation shall be kept distinct
and separate from the financial affairs of the Chapter and
the Chapter‟s Alumni Club, and shall be administered by a
board of directors or trustees. Neither the Alumni of a
Chapter as individuals or as a corporate body, nor the
Grand Chapter, shall be responsible for indebtedness of
any kind incurred by the Chapter.
(b) The title to all properties, both real and personal of a
Chapter, shall be vested in the Alumni Housing
corporation or its counterpart, the unincorporated Alumni
Amended by Convocation, August, 2010
Bylaws of the Sigma Pi Fraternity, International
organization, or in the Grand Chapter of Sigma Pi
Fraternity, International. The Chapter shall then be
regarded as the lessee or tenant, but the Alumni shall have
no jurisdiction or control over the affairs of the Chapter,
other than with regard to the administration of its finances
or as provided for in the Chapter‟s bylaws. However, in
the event of an emergency or upon evidence that the
Chapter is not managing its affairs in an efficient and
satisfactory manner, the Alumni Housing Corporation may
be empowered by the Grand Sage to take over the full
supervision, management and control of the business and
other affairs of the Chapter.
Section 3. For the purpose of effectively supervising and
controlling the finances of a Chapter, each Alumni Advisory
Board shall provide for in its organization an Alumni
Comptroller who, in coordination with the Chapter Sage and
Chapter Director, shall have general jurisdiction and control
over the Chapter finances. The Alumni Comptroller, Chapter
Director and Chapter Sage, if in agreement, shall have the
power to remove a Chapter Third Counselor from office should
he be considered unsatisfactory, be deemed incompetent, be
guilty of neglect of duty or malfeasance in office.
BYLAW 20 - Sigma Pi Historical Society
Section 1. There shall be a Sigma Pi Historical Society. Its
purpose shall be to preserve and promote the history of Sigma
Pi, and foster an appreciation of the same among the
Fraternity‟s members.
Section 2. The Sigma Pi Historical Society shall be governed
by a constitution and bylaws that will function in accordance
with the specific objectives of, and in conformity with, the
Constitution and Bylaws of the Fraternity. The Society‟s
constitution and bylaws will be adopted and amended as
necessary by its membership.
It shall be the duty and responsibility of the Comptroller and
the Chapter Third Counselor jointly and individually to
administer the finances of the Chapter in strict accordance with
the budget and plan of finance as provided in Section 1.
Section 4. The Comptroller shall assist the Chapter Third
Counselor to maintain adequate books of account and financial
records that will reveal at all times the sources of income,
disbursements, and financial condition of the Chapter treasury.
At the close of each academic year, he will prepare and submit
an annual report to the Chapter Director and Alumni Advisory
Board and file a copy with both the Grand Chapter at its
Executive Office and the Third Counselor of the Chapter. The
Chapter Third Counselor shall make regular reports to the
Comptroller and shall file monthly financial reports with the
Grand Chapter at its Executive Office and the Chapter Director.
Both the Comptroller and the Chapter Third Counselor shall be
bonded. In the event that a professional audit, entailing
expense, is deemed necessary, the Chapter shall provide for the
same in its budget.
Section 5. The Chief Executive Officer and the Executive
Office staff are hereby charged with the duty of advising and
instructing the Chapters and Alumni organizations and their
officers as to the proper methods of administering accounting,
budgeting, and bookkeeping systems. In addition, they shall
from time to time examine and audit the books, records and
accounts.
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Amended by Convocation, August, 2010